Chapter 250

Ye Guhong took a gun in his hand, gathered his internal strength, and shook the gun. However, he heard a long-lasting 鈥渂uzzing鈥� sound.

Wang Hong was not ignorant, and his expression immediately turned solemn.

You must know that although the overall military equipment was lax during the Song Dynasty, there were still numerous masters of spearmanship.

The Mongols swept across the world, invincible, but it took them an enormous amount of time to destroy the seemingly weak Southern Song Dynasty. Of course, this was due to the support of heroes like Guo Daxia, but it was also the credit of the elite soldiers and generals in the Song army.

Although Wang Hong was skilled with the sword, he had worn armor and fought in the army, so he could not have been ignorant of spear techniques.

Both iron and wooden spears had their own advantages. Iron spears were heavy and powerful, while the strength of a wooden spear lay in the resilience of the shaft. A master could wield it like a dragon or an anaconda, with unbroken strength, and it was suitable for both attack and defense.

However, a true hero can use his amazing strength to make the hard iron spear use the flexible strength of the wooden spear. That is equal to combining the strengths of iron and wood, and in the battlefield, they are all capable of defeating thousands.

Yang Zaixing, who fought the Battle of Xiaoshang River back then, was one of the best.

“Good!鈥�

A true expert’s first move is unmatched. Ye Guhong shook his spear once, and Wang Hong already put aside his contempt and loudly praised it as good.

He applauded again, saying, 鈥淣o wonder you are a young man with a great reputation. It seems that the Emei Sect really has something special. Unfortunately, unfortunately, you have met me today!鈥�

After saying this, he roared and came running at a fast pace, his two heavy swords unfurling like wings. His tall and stocky frame made him seem extraordinarily agile.

Ye Guhong pulled the spear backward with one hand and sprinted towards him.

In the blink of an eye, the two were two zhang apart. Ye Guhong twisted his body and stopped in his tracks. The spear whirled up, circling around his waist, and with a loud rumble, it shot out like a poisonous python. The tassel on the spear exploded straight up, red and dazzling.

Wang Hong opened his eyes wide. When the tip of his spear poked out from his waist, he followed it with a twisting turn of his body, swung his right hand around, and with a loud clang, he struck the spearhead with all the force of his twisting turn, splitting it in two!

Ye Gucheng stabbed out with his spear in one hand, and took this heavy blow from Wang Hong’s sword. It looked as if he couldn’t help but let the spearhead fall to the ground鈥�

This falling of the spearhead, holding the end of the spear with one hand, is called a losing move in spearplay. Once a losing move is set in, there is no way to save it.

Wang Hong was overjoyed, and his body kept spinning as he swung his left hand knife out, slashing Ye Guhong’s head.

This was a killer move from his family’s double-knife technique, which specialized in breaking through the various thrusting techniques of the spear. It was famously called 鈥淭wo Tigers Pouncing on a Dragon鈥�!

The meaning was that even if you practiced spearplay like a dragon entering the sea, these double knives were like two tigers pouncing one after the other, one slashing the spear and the other killing the person.

However, he forgot one thing: if they were on horses, his spear would have fallen to the ground, and he would indeed be defeated, but now they were both fighting on foot, and they were much more agile than on horseback.

Seeing Wang Hong’s backhand knife slash halfway through, Ye Guhong suddenly took a step forward, and with a gentle lift of his empty left hand, he accurately grasped Wang Hong’s pulse point in the dazzling blade light.

Wang Hong’s eyelids twitched, and he saw Ye Guhong raise his leg to kick. He quickly turned around and raised his knee, taking Ye Guhong’s leg with his knee, and his right knife whizzed towards his wrist.

Ye Guhong laughed, let go, and jumped back, picking up his spear as he did so, crossing it diagonally in front of his chest. He took a false step forward and a bow step back, and once again assumed the stance of the 鈥淕reen Dragon Exploring the Sea鈥�.

Mie Jie could not help but nod in secret. Although Ye Guhong was using a spear, his technique was extremely skilled and his short-range combat skills were superb. It would be difficult for an ordinary military commander to block it. Although the 鈥淟ittle Knife King鈥� was slightly embarrassed, his response was extremely quick. No wonder he dared to make such a boast and challenge himself.

Wang Hong’s double swords were high and low, protecting his body. He looked grave and cautious, slightly rotating his right leg. He felt unbearable pain at the knee, as if a piece of burning coal had been inserted into his flesh. He knew it was due to the opponent’s internal strength invading, so he quickly shouted, 鈥淕ood, good! The Jade Hero of Emei is indeed extraordinary, but if it’s martial arts in battle formation, foot fighting is not enough to satisfy. Do you dare to fight me on horseback?鈥�

Ye Guhong glanced at his knees and said indifferently, 鈥淭oday you set the pace, and I will follow.鈥�

The two sides had just fought, although it was only a flash in the pan, Ye Guhong had already seen through the opponent’s fundamentals鈥�

Wang’s double swords were indeed extraordinary, and it was not known where he had learned this peerless skill. However, although the 鈥淟ittle King of Swords鈥� was not young, it was likely that he had never encountered a real fierce general to fight, so although his swordplay was superb, when facing an enemy in battle, he always felt that there was a lack of spirit.

The Yang family spear technique is even more exquisite than the Wang family double swords, and Ye Guhong’s martial arts realm is far superior to his opponent, so even in a horse battle, he is not afraid of him flipping over the sky, and he responds readily.

Wang Hong also thought he had a plan, limping back, and one of his subordinates pulled over his usual war horse. Ye Guhong also returned to his horse on his own, and the two men shook the reins and charged at each other again.

This time, Ye Kuhong did not use any tricks, but instead used the Yang family spear technique to the fullest, stabbing, thrusting, sweeping and slashing, his spear thrusts fierce and domineering.

Wang Hong was not willing to show weakness either, swinging his two large swords, attacking from above like dark clouds and from below like the roots of old trees, his superb swordsmanship on full display. The group of Shandong magnates watching from afar could not help but change colour.

Mie Jie sneered, 鈥淭his guy is considered a tiger general, but he is willing to work for the Tartars. He really doesn’t deserve to die.鈥�

Xia Shun came forward and said worriedly, 鈥淢aster, although the Emei martial arts are amazing, Ye Shao’er’s battle with this guy on horseback suits this guy’s strengths. Will it be…鈥�

Mie Jie shook his head and said confidently, 鈥淢y Emei Sect is inherited from the Guo family. Although my ancestor’s father was famous all over the world as a great hero, when it comes to military strategy, is he weaker than anyone else?鈥�

After saying this, he remembered that many of the heroes were looking forward to her stepping forward and leading everyone to rebel against the Yuan dynasty. Although she could not be spared at the moment, she might need the strength of these people when the time came to actually do it.

So she said deliberately, 鈥淢y friends, the Sui courtier Yang Su once wrote a poem: ‘Rampant for ten thousand miles, the Tartars are doomed to a century of poverty! It can be seen that the Tartars do not have a century of good fortune. Even if they are triumphant for a time, once the heroes of our Han dynasty emerge, they will naturally take back the ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains. My lone hero, you are that person. Wang, a mere traitor who serves the Tartars, can do nothing to harm you.鈥�

The poem 鈥淩ampant for a thousand miles, unlucky for a hundred years鈥� was composed by Tang Gong and Yin Liu after a drunken brawl. They admired his heroic spirit and remembered the two lines well. Now he was quoting them with such authority that the Shandong heroes were convinced: the head of Emei Mountain was truly a contemporary master, truly talented in both the martial and literary arts.

In the meantime, the two men had fought forty or fifty rounds, and the arena was filled with their movements.

Ye Guhong’s internal strength grew stronger as he spun faster and faster, and the iron spear in his hands became faster and faster, and each strike felt heavier than the last.

However, the sons of generals also have their own methods of training their muscles and bones and moving their internal strength. Otherwise, how could generals from ancient times, who fought all day long and carried heavy weapons and armor, have been supported by human strength?

For example, Wang Hong’s internal strength, if placed in the arena, could be considered one of the best, but the difference in strength is entirely relative. Compared to Ye Guhong, who has cultivated the mysterious Jiuyang skill, Wang Hong is ultimately inferior. He can see that the two swords are gradually unable to block everything.

At this time, the real 鈥淜ing of Swords鈥�, Wang Ying, could no longer sit still in the restaurant when he saw that his son had been unable to win for a long time.

He quietly went downstairs, mingled with the crowd, and watched for a while, exclaiming in amazement, 鈥淭his young man’s marksmanship is seasoned and his strength is astonishing. He is no less than a famous general from ancient times! If we let him live, he will definitely be a worry for the family and the country in the future… Hmph! Get my Iron Arm Bow.鈥�

When the bodyguard heard this, some went to fetch the bow and arrow, while others deliberately straightened their backs to shield the old king.

Wang Ying took the bow and arrow in his hands, pulled them back as hard as he could, hid them behind his bodyguard, and, judging Ye Kuhong to be closer, let go. The arrow, like a bolt of lightning, shot through the air.

The heroes cried out in unison, 鈥淲atch out for the arrow!鈥�

Ye Kuhong raised his eyebrows, did not dodge, caught the spear shaft under his arm, swung it diagonally outward with one arm, knocking away Wang Hong’s double swords. With his left hand, he used the technique of 鈥渇loating snow and piercing the clouds鈥� to leverage the arrow’s momentum. He raised his pinky and ring finger, like plucking an orchid, and flicked the arrowhead, causing it to turn and impale Wang Hong’s shoulder.

Wang Hong let out a muffled grunt, his right hand dropped the broadsword. He knew something was wrong, and as he hurried to turn his horse around, he heard Ye Guhong shout, and the iron spear whirled back with great speed. The spearhead was like a sword, and it sliced Wang Hong’s throat, sending his head tilting back and his body falling slowly to the ground.

Blood gushed from his throat like a fountain.

Wang Ying missed his target with his cold arrow, but instead killed his son. In an instant, he felt his soul empty, and he let out a strange cry, 鈥淢y son!鈥�

He turned around like an old bear, grabbed the double swords in his hands, jumped onto a war horse, and came to avenge his son.

Ye Guhong shook his head and thought to himself, 鈥淭his old thing has ambushed me, but I won’t get to fight back.鈥�

Sure enough, behind him, Master Mie Jie already had her eyebrows raised in anger, shouting, 鈥淵ou old traitor! You’re just looking for death!鈥�

Her voice was so loud that the surrounding Shandong heroes felt their heads buzz, and those with shallow internal strength who were unfortunately nearby even sat down and felt dizzy.

Xia Xun, Situ Zhong, and Yuqiu Daoren, who had profound internal strength, could not help but shrink their necks involuntarily, watching as Mie Jie jumped off his horse, as if he had turned into a grey bolt of thunder, blasting through the air.

As the veteran general Wang Ying rode his horse and brandished his sword, he suddenly saw a long shadow, like a grey dragon, rushing straight towards him. He was shocked, and wondered in his heart, 鈥淐ould there be such lightness of movement in the world?鈥�

He let out a strange cry and swung his sword to cut, but saw the grey shadow leap in front of the horse. The figure froze in the air, but it was a beautiful nun with a murderous aura. Before he could think again, he saw a slender, white hand come towards his face.

The heroes of Shandong stared with bulging eyes, watching as the monk charged out in anger, and in the blink of an eye, he dashed more than ten zhang, leaping towards the horse of the 鈥淜ing of Swords鈥�, Wang Ying, who was brandishing his double swords aloft. He lightly slapped Wang Ying’s face, seemingly unable to exert any force. Then, with a puff of air, Wang Ying’s entire body, including the iron helmet on his head, turned to powder, and his flesh, blood, and brains shot up to a distance of one zhang, before crashing to the ground with a loud noise.

Only then did the dust of the disaster settle, without even a single grain of dust rising.

Everyone was still in shock when they saw Wang Ying’s frightened horse, with a long neigh, carrying Wang Ying’s headless corpse standing up, with its two large hooves facing Mie Jie, stepping down towards him.

The heroes exclaimed in alarm, 鈥淢aster, be careful!鈥�

Then they saw Mie Jie not dodge or avoid, but extend a single palm over his head, catching the hooves with one hand and swinging them behind him.

The horse, weighing no less than a thousand catties, let out a loud neigh, throwing its four hooves into the air, and crashing down onto the ground with a loud thud, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The Shandong heroes and Wang family soldiers, numbering in the hundreds on both sides, were all frozen in place.

Mie Jie clapped his hands, narrowed his eyes, and looked at the Wang family soldiers. Those burly men let out a strange cry in unison and turned to flee.

Mie Jie shouted, 鈥淵ou’re all accomplices to the tiger, all as bad as each other. Where do you think you’re going?鈥�

His figure flashed, and he swept straight into the crowd. Without drawing his sword, he was seen rising and falling, his sleeves flapping, and with a single palm strike after another, he sent the guards flying in all directions.

Within a few breaths, not a single one of the nearly 100 guards had escaped more than 30 feet. The heroic building was covered in corpses.

Only then did Mie Jie calm his anger and turned to walk back step by step.

The Shandong heroes knew that she was not their enemy, but they felt their knees weak as they watched her tall figure approach step by step. They found it hard to breathe.

Some of them, who were in collusion with the authorities and harbouring evil intentions, could no longer contain their fear and let out a scream. They turned their heads, spurred their horses on, or threw their legs wide and galloped off without looking back.

Mie Jie walked up to Ye Guhong, stopped, and looked up at her disciple. 鈥淎re you alright?鈥�

Ye Guhong dismounted quickly and laughed, 鈥淒on’t worry, Master. It was just a cold arrow. Although he is old, he is no old Huang Zhong. How could he hurt his disciple?鈥�

Mie Jie looked stern and said, 鈥淲ar is dangerous. You can’t be careless.鈥�

Ye Guhong nodded repeatedly.

Mie Jie then smiled slightly, looked at Xia Xun and the others, shook his head, and said, 鈥淚’m too lazy to say hello to them. Go and get my horse. We still have to hurry.鈥�

Ye Guhong nodded, jumped back into the crowd, clasped his fists and smiled, 鈥淭hank you all for coming to stand in for my master and I. My master and I still have important matters to attend to and cannot delay for long, so I will take my leave of you now. You need not see me off. After I have finished my affairs with the sect, I will have the opportunity to invite you all to drink and be merry.鈥�

None of Xia Xun and the others dared to act big, and they all respectfully clasped their fists and said, 鈥淚 dare not. Please, young hero Ye, go on your way.鈥�

Ye Gucheng smiled at the crowd, pulled up his horse and returned to his master’s side. The master and disciple each mounted their horses and rode off into the distance. Behind them, the Shandong heroes shouted like a tide: 鈥淲e respectfully wish the Holy Nun a smooth journey and great fortune.鈥�

Without even turning his head to wave goodbye, Ye Gucheng turned in his saddle, laughed, bowed, and said thank you. In no time, his figure became indistinct in the crowd.

Only then did the crowd let out a long breath together.

When so many people exhaled together, many of them with a high level of internal strength, the sound was loud and sudden, and everyone was startled. Then they looked at each other, smiling wryly.

Someone said, 鈥淗ero Xia, you saw Zhang Zhenren fight last year. Is he really more powerful than this Nun Miejue?鈥�

Xia Shun pondered for a moment, shook his head and said, 鈥淶hang Zhenren’s abilities cannot be determined by the word martial arts. As for Emei Shenni, hehe, I originally only thought that he was on par with the Three Shaolin Monks, but after seeing her in action today… I’m afraid that, under Zhang Zhenren, this Shenni is the most formidable.鈥�

Originally, Situ Zhong’s cheeks were flushed from drinking, but now his face is pale, and the wine has long since turned into cold sweat. He interjects, 鈥淎lthough Wang Ying has become a dog of the Tartars, his martial arts skills cannot be faked. Back when he was still roaming the rivers and lakes, he was rarely matched. After so many years of fighting in battle, his knife skills have improved by more than one step. Although I don’t want to admit it, I have to say that he is the best fighter in Shandong. But you can see that in front of the Dharma Nuns, he is no match for a child. If the three Shaolin monks were to fight him, he would be no match for them for at least 30 or 40 moves.

Although Situ Zhong often offended people with his words, everyone knew that he was the most straightforward and had extraordinary insight. Therefore, they all believed him without a doubt. For a while, there was a lot of discussion, but no one cared about the rude actions of Mie Jie towards the crowd.

Within a few days, news of the battle in Tai’an spread, and the master and apprentice pair of Mie Jie and Emei Yuxia once again became famous.

Although the Shandong government did not arrange ambushes, they sent a fast horse with an urgent message to report the incident to the imperial court.

When the Yuan emperor learned of the death of Wang Ying and his son, he was furious and immediately issued an imperial decree to the king of Ruyang, ordering him to arrange for experts to capture the perpetrators by all means to avenge the loyal subjects of the Great Yuan.